BC Cup Day Previews
A magnificent bumper-sized BC-day card of eight cracking contests, as the best horses in the province battle it out for a share of almost $350,000 in purse-money
A half-sister to smart three-year-old Diocles and a handful of other useful performers, BREEZIN BRIANNE made light work of her rivals (including barn-mate WHYS NOT A WINNER) when winning gate-to-wire on her debut. This will be a different proposition over the 6½ furlongs, but she looks the most likely of trainer Mel Snow’s trio to land the spoils. MISS LARUE took time to get going and never landed a blow in her 3½ furlong debut dash, but should be a different proposition over today’s distance now she has a little experience. SOMEDAY LADY makes her debut here but has been working well in the mornings, has the assistance of leading rider Amadeo Perez and can’t be ignored.
PIONEER STORM KING followed through on his lively morning work with a winning gate-to-wire debut over 3½ furlongs last month and he will be a tough nut to crack again today if able to replicate that effort over the longer course. MOUNT DOOM overcame the dreaded inside gate and had to be switched wide after being squeezed for room on a highly promising second-place finish to Breezin’ Brianne on his debut. He’s a major player today. The betting market should provide clues as to the expectations surrounding the trio of debutantes: EXIT TUNNEL is a sibling to three winners, all of which hit the board on their respective debuts, while CHICK COMMAND is related to a couple of Stakes-placed performers. MAKENA’S JOY also has winning several siblings and represents an in-form barn.
BOLD ARCH is arguably better than ever this season under the tutelage of veteran handler John Morrision and the seven-year-old speed freak will be the one they have to beat again as he looks to follow up on a superlative display of front-running last time. LUCKY FORCE is no slouch. He drops back to sprinting after winning over 8½ furlongs last time but is a five-time winner over today’s distance and will exploit any weakness shown by the favourite. WEALTHY TEXAN could also prove troublesome for Bold Arch. Like the favourtite, he’s also a strong front-runner and a speed duel would benefit neither. Former BC Derby winner REGAL RIOT has won over this distance but he missed all of last season and will need to step-up considerably on his two outings this year.
AVANA has adapted superbly to Hastings since arriving from California and has yet to be troubled in three straightforward victories. She followed-up on her eight-length River Rock Casino Stakes win in equally impressive style when landing the Supernaturel Stakes over today’s distance and will be a tough nut to crack here. Stablemate SUNBLAZE is still improving and looked to have plenty left in the tank when breaking her maiden cozily last time. She runs as though she’s been waiting for an opportunity to take on the long course and could provide some value at the betting windows in what is her sternest test to date. SISTER ELLA makes her Hastings debut after a busy spring campaign at Fair Grounds, Oaklawn and Churchill Downs and is an interesting candidate. She’ll need to improve on her most recent effort in May but has been working notably well in the mornings. BROOKE MAGIC was a leading juvenile last season but hasn’t run since finishing third to Bakburner and Viva La Diva in May.
INFINITE PATIENCE showed definite signs of improvement last time when taking on the long course for the first time this term and just failing to hold off the late challenge of today’s rival, Matsqui. On her best form, she’ll win, but will need to show she’s back to somewhere near that level in order to land what is a very competitive heat. MATSQUI was no ‘fluke’ winner last time. She’s a solid Stakes performer who excels over the longer course and will be a big danger again here if they go quickly enough. BUNNY takes her first steps into Stakes company but is no makeweight. She had Matsqui behind her when winning an Allowance contest in May and, although she attempts the long course for the first time, will be a threat if able to repeat that performance. AIR FORCE weakened late behind Matsqui and Infinite Patience, but she’s had an interrupted preparation this spring and is entitled to be a lot closer today if back to near her best. WE B THREE was leading sprinter last season and was a sensational winner of the Emerald Downs Stakes in June over 6½ furlongs. However, although she remains a big threat on her best form, she faded badly behind Matsqui and co when they met over today’s distance.
Five of the very best horses on the Hastings’ premises renew rivalry after clashing in the Lieutenant Governors’ Handicap on Canada Day. AT ATTENTION prevailed narrowly that day under a remarkable ride by Antonio Reyes; the pair coming from dead last on the backstretch to snatch the contest from Sunbird by a nose. Today’s another day, however, and much will depend on the pace with At Attention and a few of the others probably reliant upon having something to run at late. BUTTONWOOD TREE has led early in all bar one of his Hastings’ races and he will certainly help stablemate SETTECENTO if he can take them along quickly enough. However, despite not being beaten far and certainly staying-on gamely, the George Royal winner began his bid for glory in front of At Attention last time and there didn’t appear to be too many excuses. SPACE was another closing-in on At Attention and Sunbird when third, although he has also won off the front and may not be as inconvenienced by pace issues. That also applies to STORMY BLUE and the classy SUNBIRD, who can sit on or off the pace as required. He didn’t deserve to lose to At Attention last time and looks a major threat again here.
Last year’s champion juvenile AUGUST RAIN continues to be the high-water mark all rival three-year-olds must surpass to win, although he is not helped here by an outside gate position. He edged out DIOCLES by a nose in the Chris Loseth Handicap over today’s distance when they met last month and that was after overcoming some traffic congestion approaching the home turn. Both are leading contenders again. J. DUTTON faces a baptism of fire on his Hastings debut after arriving as a gate-to-wire Maiden Special Weight winner from Santa Anita. His fate here may depend on his ability to adapt to the bullring but, on speed ratings alone he could easily be a big danger, especially if given enough rope at the head of affairs. MONEYSHOT makes his third Hastings appearance and has run a creditable fourth in both Stakes outings since arriving from ‘back east’ in the spring.
TEX HANLEY did remarkably well to get so close to the redoubtable Erlich last time after being force to travel wide for most of the race. He didn’t appear to be stopping at the end, although his ability to perform as well over today’s extra 2½ furlongs will need to be taken on trust. Like Tex Hanley, FAMILY BIZ faces a voyage of discovery in terms of distance, but is normally doing all his best work late and doesn’t run as though he will be inconvenienced by this 11-furlong test. He also goes for a hat-trick of victories today and is clearly in excellent form. JOCK TALK is a different proposition over longer distances and looks to be approaching his best form after a rallying third last time. He was a rapidly-closing second to ARTISTIC JEWELLER when the met over 12-furlongs last October and both need to be on the shortlist again here.
Lisa & Mike’s BC Cup Day Picks
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